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Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels

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Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience

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Synonyms

F current; H current; HCN channels hyperpolarization-activated current; Ih; Q current

Definition

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are membrane ion channels that are permeable to sodium and potassium ions. They open when the membrane potential hyperpolarizes and close when it depolarizes. This contrasts with the majority of voltage-gated ion channels, which open on depolarization and close on hyperpolarization. HCN channel gating can be directly modulated by cyclic nucleotides. At a molecular level, HCN channels have a structure similar to voltage-gated potassium channels. Individual subunits have six transmembrane domains and a reentrant pore loop but are distinguished by a cyclic AMP-binding domain located near to their C-terminus. Functional channels are formed by homomeric or heteromeric assembly of four subunits.

Detailed Description

HCN channels are an important and striking exception to the general rule that voltage-gated ion channels...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK

    Matthew F. Nolan

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  1. Matthew F. Nolan
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Correspondence to Matthew F. Nolan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Dieter Jaeger

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA

    Ranu Jung

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Nolan, M.F. (2014). Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels. In: Jaeger, D., Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_231-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_231-2

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